What Our Children Really Need this Summer + Free Printable

What Do Your Children Need this Summer – It May Not Be What You Think!

Summer is here – or almost here, depending on where you live. How are you feeling? Happy? Relaxed? Excited? Stressed? Nervous? Depending on the age of your children and your work and family situation, you may be feeling any or all of those things. Summer can be great, but it also can be very stressful for moms.

One of the things that adds to our stress is the expectations we put on ourselves. We tend to think that our children need all sorts of activities and “experiences” during the summer – endless camps, teams, trips, lessons and outings. If we don’t have an activity planned for a certain day (or, heaven forbid, an entire week!) we tend to feel a bit nervous and stressed, maybe even a little guilty.

But is that really what our children need this summer? Sure, those things are fun, and we want to give those kinds of experiences to our children. But when we try to ensure that summer consists of one exciting experience after another, are we giving them what they need the most?

Maybe not. More than any previous generation, our children are scheduled and stimulated day in and day out. They run from one activity to another, and when they’re not running they’re planted in front of a screen.

They don’t have time to slow down, think, relax, create or even play. And they rarely have time to get bored, which was a summer staple when I was a kid. (“Mom, I’m bored!” “Go outside and play. Read a book. Draw. Figure out something to do.”)

Having time to think and create – and even time to be bored – allows children to use their brains, to create and to develop coping skills. It gives them a chance to relax, to chill out, and to enjoy time friends and family. It lets them know that life isn’t about being “on the go” every minute of every day. And it may be exactly what our children need this summer.

If you’re worried that you don’t have enough planned for your children this summer, let go of some of that anxiety. Instead of trying to entertain them every waking hour, give them some time and space to relax, create, experiment and – yes – even figure out what to do when they’re “bored.”

And give them time with you and your husband. Plan low-key family activities, like hikes, picnics, soccer in the backyard, or swimming at a park. Honestly, I think that kids sometimes enjoy those activities more than an elaborate vacation or weeks at camp!

If you take a vacation, keep it low-key too. You don’t have to spend every day doing something “amazing.” Frankly, when our kids were young, they enjoyed swimming at the hotel pool as much as any fancy vacation activity!

Comments

This article couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’ve signed my child up for 2 short activities this summer (which is the right amount for him and our family), but have been stressing that I should be putting him in more things because it seems like everyone else has their kids in a ton of activities. I’m trying to remind myself that when I was a kid, kids used to just go to one summer camp or not doing anything formal all summer and we turned out fine!

Hi Lisa – My childhood summers were just what you described! I think the key thing in your comment is “which is the right amount for him and our family.” That’s exactly what I want to encourage parents to do – decide what is right for their family and what will make for a fun and relaxing summer for them. For some families, it may involve more organized activities. The important thing is thinking it through and deciding, rather than just letting things happen.

Yes Ma’am, you are so right. During the school year I am in the car shuttling my child to and from school among other things. I like just being home and barefoot so we try to plan MAYBE one outing or two a week and that’s it. We are HOME. These days kids have access to everything right at their fingertips, computer, TV, videos, netflex everything not to mention the stinkin’ fidget spinner. So, they can have PLENTY to do even if they just stay home!!! We are working on a Summer Bucket List and everything on there is FREE!